FREE HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING______

What is HIV?

HIV is the virus which causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

What is the HIV Antibody Test?

It is a test to find out if you have been infected with the virus that causes AIDS. It screens for antibodies, which are proteins the body makes to fight infection.

What does a negative test result mean?

A negative test means no antibodies to HIV were found in your blood right now. Sometimes it can take six months for the antibodies to appear after you have been infected. For that reason, if results of this test are negative, you should get tested again in six months.

What does a positive test result mean?

A positive test result means you have been infected with the virus that causes AIDS. It does not mean that you have AIDS right now. Even though you may not have AIDS right now, if your test result is positive, you can transmit the virus to others by intimate sexual contact, by sharing needles (through the blood in the needle) or by organ or blood donation. A pregnant woman can pass the virus to her unborn child; a breastfeeding mother can pass the virus through her breast milk.

Other important things to know

Knowing your HIV status may help you and your doctor make decisions about your health that can improve your chances of staying healthy.
Although anyone can be at risk for infection, certain behaviors make people more at risk. These include:

+Men and women who have had unprotected sex with other men and women.

+Past and present users of injectable drugs.

+Anyone receiving blood or blood products between 1978 and 1985.

+Anyone who has a Sexually Transmitted Disease.

+Anyone who has had unprotected sex with people in the above categories.

+Anyone who has had unprotected sex with someone who has had other sex partners.

If your test results are negative, do not develop a false sense of security. Remember, you could still become infected if you have sex without a condom or share needles. The test results do not change recommendations to practice safer sex. Even if you do not decide to get tested today, you should still use a condom and not share needles.

How should my test be done?

Your test can be done anonymously. This means that no one but you will know the test result and your result will not be placed in a medical record.

Your test can be done confidentially. This means that your result will be placed in your medical record, but the test result will not be released to anyone or any outside agency without your written permission.

FREE HIV Testing In 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Choose an HIV Testing site from the following list that is most convenient for you; Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9am and 3pm.

Step 2: Ask for the person and their department listed next to the site of your choice.

Step 3: Mention to the person assisting you that YO ACAP sent you for HIV Testing.

Testing Sites Names to ask for

YO ACAP Offices                 Tiffany or Kisha (HIV Testing)
1207 Chestnut St.
Suite 315
Center City

Health District #1                 Lena (DIS Department)
Broad & Lombard Sts.
South Philadelphia

Health District #5                 Pat or Stephon (HPR Department)
20th and Berks Sts.
North Philadelphia